Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 16
Aditi’s Payo-vrata and Viṣṇu’s Promise to Appear as Her Son
Prelude to Vāmana
प्रायोऽधुना तेऽसुरयूथनाथा अपारणीया इति देवि मे मति: । यत्तेऽनुकूलेश्वरविप्रगुप्ता न विक्रमस्तत्र सुखं ददाति ॥ १६ ॥
prāyo ’dhunā te ’sura-yūtha-nāthā apāraṇīyā iti devi me matiḥ yat te ’nukūleśvara-vipra-guptā na vikramas tatra sukhaṁ dadāti
Wahai Dewi, menurut pendapat-Ku kini hampir semua pemimpin pasukan asura tak terkalahkan, sebab mereka dilindungi para brahmana yang selalu mendapat perkenan Tuhan Yang Mahatinggi; karena itu, menggunakan kekuatan melawan mereka sekarang tidak akan membawa kebahagiaan.
When a person is favored by brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, no one can defeat him. Even the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not interfere when one is protected by a brāhmaṇa. It is said, go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca. The Lord’s first inclination is to give all benedictions to the cows and brāhmaṇas. Therefore if brāhmaṇas favor someone, the Lord does not interfere, nor can anyone interfere with the happiness of such a person.
FAQs
This verse states that when the Supreme Lord and brāhmaṇas protect a side, opposing valor cannot produce success or happiness against them.
In the narrative, Aditi laments the devas’ defeat; Kaśyapa explains that the asuras are currently prevailing because divine favor is not with the devas, and only when Viṣṇu’s protection is secured can the tide turn.
Seek alignment with dharma—humility, integrity, prayer, and guidance from saintly teachers—because mere force or strategy without righteousness and divine grace rarely yields lasting peace.